Toulouse, capital of France’s southern Occitanie region, is bisected by the Garonne River and sits near the Spanish border. It’s known as La Ville Rose (‘The Pink City’) due to the terra-cotta bricks used in many of its buildings. Plus it's a spectacular tourist destination with two Unesco heritage sites, the 17th-century Canal du Midi that links the Garonne to the Mediterranean Sea, and can be travelled by boat, bike or on foot and the Basilica of St. Sernin, the biggest Romanesque building in Europe. According to the locals, it's an excellent place to call home (or even to visit for a weekend). Check out the local "torisum" website.
So without any more pre-amble lets get straight into the beer scene, as always starting with the brewpubs and breweries; (updated December 2024)
Brasserie Caporal SAS, 17 Rue du Général Lionel de Marmier
Open: Mon -Tues 09.00 - 18.00 Wed -Fri 09.00 - 21.30 Sat - Sun Closed
A super nice place a brewery with a tap-room. Inside it is quite large with modern no frils furniture also a breathtaking view of the beer production tanks, the establishment has a great atmosphere! Also a plus point is a great petanque court outside, also a large terrace and car park. Most of the staff are nice, and have a passion and a lot of knowledge about beers. Plus of course the beer is very good, there is something for everyone. The tap's are a little expensive, but very correct especially during happy hour! Food is served but is expensive for what you get? In the evening it is better to book because there can be people! A beautiful discovery! I recommend a visit.
The Frog and Rosbif Toulouse, 14, rue de l’Industrie
Open: Sat 12.00 - 15.00 - Sun 12.00 - 00.00 Mon - Fri 17.30 - 02.00
Located fairly close to the center of town, just like an English Firkin pub? It's throbbing on busy nights. Otto's top tip don’t sit next to the dartboard, you will get stabbed! The house beers are pretty passable, but not exceptional. Prices are a bit steep but the staff are very friendly Usually there are seven beers on tap and unfortunatly they only serve pints (.5lt) The food is typical fries and burgers. It's really just a stop to tick if you’re in town, as if you have been to one LeFrog you've been to them all!
L’Autruche, 1 Rue André Mercadier
Open: Mon - Sat 17.00 - 02.00 Sun - Closed
Located on a narrow street, just off the Rue Riquet craft beer destination. This super bar / brasserie is well worth seeking out. Inside the nano brew kit is located opposite the bar, there is a wooden-floor and the seating is mostly high plastic and steel chairs with wooden tables. They serve five of their own brews they are very inovative and quaffable. They do food that is all local produce, the platters charcuterie cheese are really top. There are live music nights (not your usual live music!) Oh and the staff are really knowlagable and friendly, they even offer brewing instruction. Otto say a very nice pub with a cosy atmosphere in a good location a must do beer destination.
So now onto the bars of the town;
Au Poêle de la Bête, 56 rue d’Aubuisson
Open: Mon - Fri 08.00 - 02.00 Sat - 18.00 - 03.00 Sun - Closed
A really enjoyable bistro and bar with a streetside terrace area (best place to sit), inside it's a quite small thus you will be lucky to get a table at lunchtime. Located on the corner of Rue Riquet, Toulouse’s impressive current craft beer area. The only one to be open all day too! A clever and ever-changing rage of Francophone beers, not that many French yet, but an impressive range of lambics. Top rate tapas from 19.00 plus the staff are very friendly and welcoming, well worth a visit.
Le Bièrographe, 12 rue des paradoux
Open Mon - Sat 17.30 - 02.00? Closed Sunday
This is a small modern place, very nice and cozy, with a good selection upto 10 local brews on tap. There is a pleasant atmosphere. Any Toulouse beer fan of this divine beverage must know this place, where the barrels are regularly changing. The tapas is also very good, based on local products. The prices are on the higher end of the spectrum though. They have a basement floor with a buzzing atmosphere and cool music. The owner knows his stuff and can definitely recommend you some beers based on your preferences. One of the best bars for French beers in town.
L’Ancienne Belgique, 16, rue de la Trinité
Open: Mon - Sat 16.00 - 02.00 Sun - Closed
The bar is situated in the old town not too far from the excellent indoor market. A nice Belgian Brown bar with ~10 taps and 100 bottles, with chalk boards displaying what is available on the wall, with just a couple of French beers on offer. The bartenders are friendly and offer good advice. It is a small dark oblong shaped place with a beamed ceiling and an eclectic mix of decorations, the bar take's up most of the right hand side as you enter with some seating at the front by the window and then all down the left hand side. Overall a good atmosphere and very friendly staff and not that expensive.
La Breughel, 30, rue de la Chaine
Open: Mon - Sat 17.00 - 02.00 Sun - Closed
Located between Compans Caffarelli and Basilique Saint Sernin. This is a nice large pub. Serving mostly Belgian beers from 11 taps, plus approx 40 bottles. The service is good service and the friendly staff make a most enjoyable evening.
Rooster & Beer, 100 Rue Riquet
Open: Tues - Sat 18.00 02.00 Sun - Mon Cloased
Located at the far end of the craft beer strip that laces Rue Riquet, not far from the Fluid Mechanic. It opened in May 2016. The bar serves approx 70+ beers mostly in bottle, and all of them French. The interior décor is spartan, they have a dart board. There are quality snack foods to compliment the drink and most important the staff working there are pretty awesome! Really helpful and understanding if you can't speak French! A pretty cool find in Toulouse
La Mécanique des Fluides, 1 Place Riquet
Open: Daily 17.00 02.00
Located on the corner of Rue Riquet and Rue 7 Troubadours, not far from Rooster & Beer. This beer bar has quite a dark interior and a large shaded terrace, table football. It's places like this htat get people coming back for more and you should come here if you're in the area! They have eight taps and other specialty beers in bottle. Again good friendly staff.
La Tireuse, 24, rue Pargaminières,
Open: Mon - Sat 17.00 02.00 Sun Cloased
Located near Place Saint-Pierre. A cool Belgian style bar. The bar takes up the whole of one side of the pub with 12-15 other taps offering good Belgian ales. There are wooden bar stools and opposite wooden tables and benches is quite a woody atmosphere. The staff are super knowledgeable, the music is great, the ambiance is perfect. A must do for beer lovers in Toulouse.
Délirium Café Toulouse, 54 Allée Jean Jaurès
Open: Daily 11.30 - 02.00?
This Delirium branch is located very centrally in Toulouse, walking distance from the main square. They have about 10 draft beers including the blond and red Delirium Tremens. Every order has to be paid separately and service was not too attentive. You can order crepes and burgers on a separate counter. Beer quality is great, ambiance and service are mediocre. As any Delirium bar it is usually crowded, with no where to sit, and very loud. A plus point is its open Sunday's
and now a couple or three bottle shop's that are definatly worth a visit;
La Houblonnière, 37 rue de la republique
Open: Daily Noon to 2am
A small shop close to the Pont Neuf on the western shore of the river. They have a nice selection of Belgian and French beers along with a decent selection of different European brewers with some beers you would not expect. In total approximately 400 bottles. Only a few beers from oversea. Additionally, they offer 8 taps (mostly French) and have some bottles and cans cooled. The guy there is friendly and helpfull and seemed really passionate about beer. A definate beer stop for your inner geek!
Autour d’une Bière, 259 avenue de Mure
Open:Tues -Fri 05.00 - 23.00 Sat 10:30am–12:30pm, 3:30–8:30pm Sun - Mon Closed
Located on a bustling street just the other side of the bridge called Pont St Michel, on a road called Murel on a tram route. A decent bottle shop and bar. They usually have 5 or 6 Belgians on tap and a great selection of bottled beers. They also offer meat/cheese plates.The prices and selection are good and you can find some really good, harder to find beers, especially Belgians. It has a very good atmosphere with a mixed crowd. It is well worth the effort to get here and I would reccomend it.
Beer Mosaic Bar, bis, 7 Rue Riquet
Open: Mon - Sat 15.00 - 21.30 Sun Closed
The name is misleading as this is actually a beer shop one the best in Toulouse by a county mile. The staff are extremely knowledgable and friendly. Look out for their own brews which are great quality and value! Mikeller, De Molen etc etc.
If you find something has changed or something new that needs adding please email an update.
A vote santé Otto
R.I.P.
Barallel, 9, Rue Cujas
A small brewpub, with a 5hl kit located in the back of the building. The inside is quite modern with small high tables and chairs and some cosy couches. A mix of classic beers and tastes and more modern and crazy ones. The imported bottled beers and wines are a bit pricey if you want to drink them in the bar, but with the quality of the house brew you probably won't need it. The name Barallel is a play on words on the parallel between wine and beer as the place also offer a wide selection of natural wine that can be recommended by the sommelier of the staff. The staff know how to talk you through styles and recordation's, and the house beers are innovative for the French scene. The food is simple (cheese or meat platter, salmon, bread). I can really recommend keeping an eye on this in the few next years! Currently the best place for a drink in Toulouse.
Kraken Paradise, 34 rue de la Colombette
A pretty small bar a little bit outside the historic city centre. A rustic interior with a long bar and rock music playing. There are six ever changing taps with an interesting selection. Additionally, they have approximately 30 bottles and serve cold tapas. More a bar with good beer than a bar focused solely on beer. Worth a visit when you are around albeit a little pricey.